The American Cowboy Rides Into Town December-January All of America Loves to "Play" Worker to His Status As a Glamorous Most Comprehensive Collections of Its Cowboy

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES AT SAN ANTONIO

The American Cowboy Rides Into Town December-January All of America loves to "play" worker to his status as a glamorous most comprehensive collections of its cowboy. We can't resist the temptation international celebrity. kind. Materials displayed in the exhibit to walk, talk, sing, dance and dress Through its various facets the include paintings, watercolors, prints, cowboy. We relish reliving the days of exhibit reviews the history and real life posters, books, manuscripts, music the Old West with Hopalong Cassidy experiences of the open-range cowboy recordings, film clips and artifacts. and the Cisco Kid on the Saturday of the 19th century and compares his Special three-dimensional attrac matinee. And we refuse to let anything life-style to the men and women work tions include an 1866 chuck box destroy our fantasy that cowboys lead ing in today's cattle industry. In addi designed by noted Texas rancher, charmed lives filled with romance, tion, the exhibit explores how, from the Charles Goodnight; a 1940's Seeburg excitement and adventure. dime novels of the 1870's to the fashion Wall-o-matic jukebox which plays a But how did our love affair with crazes of the 1980's, the cowboy myth selection of cowboy songs from the the cowboy get started, and what has has become a medium through which 1920's through the 1950's; and an eye kept it going through a century of America's changing social values are catching array of cowboy "kitsch" economic and social change? clearly displayed. ranging from mint-condition samples The American Cowboy, a major In fact, since the 1880's, Ameri of the Hopalong Cassidy wristwatch, exhibit on display at The Institute of cans have projected their needs and thermos, placemat and chow set to a Texan Cultures from December 1, values on the cowboy and transformed pair of colorful porcelain boots and a 1983, through January 31, 1984, him into a whole cast of characters: the cowboy hat made of blue-tinted glass. addresses these and other questions romantic cowboy, the heroic cowboy, The exhibit's significance does not relating to our fascination with this the Hollywood cowboy, the singing lie simply in its magnitude, however, most durable of folk heroes. Created cowboy, and, most recently, the chic but in its searching and scholarly look by the American Folklife Center of the cowboy and the urban cowboy. Can at the origins of a national myth. 'This Library of Congress, the exhibit sur the punk cowboy be far behind? exhibit can remind us . . . what veys the cowboy from his humble Incorporating nearly 370 items, America is about. If we understand this beginnings as a migrant agricultural The American Cowboy is one of the continued on page 6 HAPPENINGS 2

of English or Irish ongm, Spanish "corridos" or ballads - the songs America was singing at the time. This is not to say that the cowboy didn't have a brand of music all his own. As Tinsley writes, 'The isolation of life in the cow camp, the lonely society of men, the unique require ments of the job, all helped to contri bute to that body of music we now think of as cowboy song . . . A few songs arose directly out of the rigors and needs of the trail and the camp, borrowing freely from many sources but developing a character unique to the cowboy:' This essential "cowboy" quality of the songs is derived primarily from the range themes and motifs found therein. There are night herding songs, songs about stampedes; songs about loneli ness and hardship; songs about life on the trail and living it up during a stopover in town. There are love songs, laments of lost love and songs about the love of the cowboy's life - his horse. There are songs about sacrifice and Cowboy musicians playing at radio station WFAB, year unknown. Photo courtesy of Bill songs about treachery; crying songs Corkery, San Antonio. and dying songs. Many songs convey the message A cowboy's life is a weary thing, job that could mean life or death for that life on the range was no life at all. For it's rope and brand and sing; him or his companions. The cowboy's Adapted from a lumberjack tune, Yes, day or night in the rain charges, usually a herd of half-wild "Cowboy's Life is a Dreary, Dreary and hail longhorns, were touchy beasts indeed, Life" begins like this: He'll stay with his dogies out on and any sudden noise or disturbance, A cowboy's life is a dreary, the trail. from the snap of a twig to the sound dreary life, - from "Doney Gal" of thunder and lightning, could terrify Some say it's free from care, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and the animals and spark a deadly Rounding up cattle from morning Kenny Rogers he ain't. stampede. It was the cowboy's respon till night Take away the fringe and finery; sibility to hum, chant, whistle or sing On the bald prairie so bare. the scrubbed, smooth skin and photo to the herd to 'quiet them and, hope genic features; the shiny guitar and fully, prevent such a fate. As Silber and Robinson write, "Old 27-piece orchestra; the lucrative film or According to Jim Bob Tinsley, time cowboys say there's more truth in recording contract; and the passel of author of He Was Singin' This Song, this one song than in scores of stereo sweet, sentimental songs about the "Some cattle drovers, realizing the typed ballads which have created a blissful life of the cowboy. value of music to a trail herd, hired sentimentalized, romantic picture of In place of all this, picture the real singers or groups of singers to take part life on the western prairies:' singing cowboy, the one described in in the drives. The Kansas City firm of continued on page 7 the verse above. As a hired hand on the Lang and Bryan, a principal buyer of • long, grueling trail drives of the latter cattle in the Pacific Northwest, bought Happenings is a quarterly publica part of the 19th century, the cowboy thirteen thousand head of cattle in tion for the membership of The knew little of glamour and glory. He eastern Oregon in 1882 and hired an University of Texas Institute of Texan was, in the words of Irwin Silber and entire band of Negro minstrels to Cultures at San Antonio. Comments Earl Robinson, authors of Songs of the sing to the cattle at night to keep and suggestions concerning the publica Great American West, "the working them quiet:' tion are welcome and should be stiff of the plains" and "nursemaid to The cowboy singer had an exten directed to: /0 Eckerman. Director of a thousand cows:' sive repertoire. Cowboys were known News and Information, The Institute of To the range cowboy singing was to sing Western songs, spirituals and Texan Cultures, P.o. Box 1226, San not so much a pleasurable diversion as hymns, reworkings of sailor and lum Antonio, Texas 78294. it was hard work, a critical part of his berjack pieces, ballads and broadsides 3 WINTER 1983/84

Calendar of Events

and John Bruce bring in their saddles and December horse tack to display and demonstrate their usefulness to the modern cowboy. Through January 8, 1984: Hermann Lungkwitz: January 22,3:00 p.m.: Western Film Series- The German Romantic Landscapist on the Texas Texans, a 1938 remake of North of 36 filmed Frontier-A collection of 95 paintings and in Cotulla, Texas, starring Randolph Scott drawings by the German-born painter who and Joan Bennett. was Texas's first important landscape artist. January 26,7:30 p.m.: Public Discussion Series Lungkwitz's paintings and sketches present Topics are: "The Rodeo as Symbolic a vivid pictorial record of Texas as a Performance" by Beverly Stoeltje of The developing region. The formal opening for University of Texas at Austin; "Cowboy Fun: members of the Alliance and Associates is Tales, Songs, Roping and Tricks" by Leon December 10 at 4 p.m. The event includes Coffee, a working cowboy and rodeo clown a concert in the Dome Theatre featuring from Austin; and "The American Cowboy Sonata in A Minor, opus 6 "Lungkwitz;' an Reviewed" by Byron Price of the Panhandle Paul Currier (age 9) welcoming Tom Mix to original composition by Robert Allen White, Plains Museum in Canyon. San Antonio in April 1938. Photo from the and a reception in the Lower Gallery during January 28, 3:00 p.m.: Cowboy Handicrafts San Antonio Light Collection. which James Patrick McGuire will be on Rowdy Pate of Pearsall demonstrates the arts hand to autograph copies of his new book, of horsehair hitching and braiding of raw Hermann Lungkwitz: Romantic Landscapist /anual'Y hide whips and quirts. on the Texas Frontier. January 29, 3:00 p.m.: Western Film Series December I-January 31: The American Cow January 4, 1 p.m.: Alli~ce MeetitJg-Speaker, What's a Western film series without John boy-This major exhibition, produced by Jaek Maguire, exeeutive direc;tor of The Wayne? The featured film is one of the star's the American Folklife Center of the Library Institute of Texan Cultures. classics, Red River, produced in 1948. of Congress, surveys the cowboy from his January 7, 3:00 p.m.:Trick Roping-A demon origins as a migrant agricultural worker of stration by Jack Lang of San Antonia, Kevin the 19th century to his status as an inter Fitzpatrick of the Dixie Dude Ranch in national mythical hero. The exhibit exam Bandera, Juan M. Montano (Charro el ines the way the cowboy has been depicted Marino) of Lytle and Mike Lowrie of in graphic art, literature, film, music and Kerl'VilIe. advertising, and compares those portrayals Januax:y 8, 3:00 p.m.:Western CharaGter in Iolk to the reality of cowboy life. A special Song - DF. Norman L.. "Brownie" McNeil of exhibit opening for members of the Alliance San Antonio, collector, singer and recorder and Associates is set for December 1 at 6 of Western and cowboy songs, talks about p.m. Don your Western duds and join us for and performs folk songs of the frontier. this shindig! January 10, 7:30 p.m.: Publfc Discussion Sl!ries December 4, 3 p.m.: Alamo Heights Choir The featured topics are; "Origins of. the Performance - Traditional carols and holiday Cowboy: An Overview" by Joe Frantz of music presented by the student choir. Tile University of Texas at Austin, "The A cowboy on the trail enjoying a welcome December 7, 1 p.m.: Alliance Meeting-James American Cowboy," by Lonn Taylor of the rest and meal, year unknown. Photo Patrick McGuire will present an illustrated Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe and courtesy of the Museum of Texas Tech overview of Hermann Lungkwitz's artwork. "The Tools of the Trade" by Brownie Ford, University. December 26-January 1: Heritage Tour to a "real live" cowboy from Louisiana. Williamsburg, Virginia-Journey to the Old January ll-February 3, Monday, Wednesday, February Dominion's colonial capital and celebrate the Friday, 9 a .m. -noon: Alliance Orientation holidays steeped in 18th century traditions. C1as.ses - Volunteer training for new exhibit February I-April 15: Treasure, People, Ships and Contact the Heritage Tour Office for details. float: tour guides. Contact the Alliance 0ffice Dreams-Photographs, illustrations, explan The Institute will be closed on Christmas Day. for more informatiQn. atory text and reproduction artifacts recon January 14. 3:00 p.m.:Rodeo Clowns-Donnie struct the colorful story of the ill-fated and Mike Rabinson of Bo Chesson's Bandera voyage of three Spanish ships which sank Rodeos and Jack Long discuss and demon off the coast of Padre Island in 1554. strate the various aspects of tadeo clowning. February 1,1 p.m.: Alliance Meeting-Speaker, January 15, 3:00 p.m,: Western Film Series-The T.R. Fehrenbach, author and historian. featured film is a rare copy of North of 36 February 11-29: Heritage Tour to Egypt and produa!d in 1924 and based on the novel by Israel- Explore the roots of civilization Emerson Hough. during this 19-day tour of Cairo, Aswan, Tel January 18,7:30 p.m.: Publk Discussion Serles Aviv and Jerusalem, including a Nile cruise. Topics include: "Origin of the Cowboy: The Cosponsored by KLRN-TV Channel 9. Con Hispanic Heritage" by Sandra Myres of The tact the Heritage Tour Office for details. University of Texas at Arlington and "From February IS-April 15: Art from the Diamond M the Swamp to the Plains: A Loak at the A selection of American West paintings, Gowboy, Envirenment" by John Erickson af lithographs and sculpture organized by the Perryton, a working €owboy and author of Diamond M Museum in Snyder, Texas. several books on cowboy life. Among the items included in the exhibit are January 21, 3:00 pun.: The Wranglers from ' works by N.C. Wyeth, Currier & Ives, Bandera - Young wranglers Kevin Fitz Dalhart Windberg and George Phippen. A group of trail riders upon their return patrick, Mike lowrIe, Shiela Kuhlman Fries February 23,7:30 p.m.: Africa-A slide show and from a cattle drive, year unknown. Photo These events are subject to change. Please con lecture by Louis DiSabato, director of the from The Institute of Texan Cultures Historic tact the Office of Special Events for details. San Antonio Zoo. Cosponsored by the San Photograph Collection. Antonio Zoological Society. HAPPENINGS 4 lOll, llv.,II. A"'."~1I11

The cowboy has been a powerful hot, dusty, bonebreaking work; in the cowboy hero of the early novels and force in American culture for over a wintertime it was cold, wet, bone stage plays who rescued comely maid century. His journey from humble breaking work, lasting always from 10 ens in distress and generally charmed hired hand to star of stage, screen and to 14 hours a day;' writes Lonn Taylor us with his strength, rugged good looks song has been long, complex and in the catalog entitled The American and virtuous manner. Then too, there's rather baffling. It's a story which has Cowboy, published in conjunction the acrobatic cowboy who thrilled us fascinated the American public for with the exhibit of the same title with his athletic prowess and daredevil years and kept sociologists, folklorists, produced by the Library of Congress. stunts first in the Wild West shows and historians and even modern-day ranch Nevertheless, something about the later in action-packed movies. hands engrossed in trying to under cowboy and his way of life - the vast Of course, we can't forget the stand the intensity and durability of the ness and adventure of his world, his cowboy entertainer who sang his way cowboy's popularity. personal freedom and independence, across millions of feet of film and then While folks have a lot of different his down-to-earth and often humorous galloped into our living rooms by way theories about why the cowboy came outlook on life - carried with it an air of the television set. And we certainly to be America's greatest hero, they all of romanticism the American public can't ignore our latest fascination with agree that he first received national found irresistible. So much so, in fact, the mystique of the chic cowboy who, attention during the rise of open-range that when the open-range system of if you believe the advertisers, wears cattle industry in Texas and the great cattle ranching drew to a close in the only perfectly cut designer jeans and trail drives of the 1860's, 1870's and 1880's, the cowboy didn't die a natural custom-made snakeskin boots, drives 1880's. Even though this period in the death like so many of America's fleeting only sports cars or four-wheel-drive cowboy's history lasted only about 30 fancies. Instead, he lived on and once trucks named after wild animals, years, it provided the catalyst for his again started his journey up the long drinks only the smoothest whiskey, transformation from a real life figure and dusty trail. But this time, some smokes only the best cigarettes and to a figment of America's imagination. where along the way, he took a wrong whose most strenuous activity consists The confusing part about this, turn and suddenly found himself on of playing a friendly game of poker however, is that life on the range and the glittering path to stardom. His while soaking in a hot tub. the trail was not exactly filled with the name has been up in lights ever since. While it's fairly easy to describe stuff of which myths are made. In reali Throughout the cowboy's long the various characteristics the cowboy ty, the center of the cowboy's world and prosperous career he has played has acquired and to identify his ties to was work. "In the summertime it was many parts. There's the romantic the cultural climate of America at any 5 WINTER 1983/ 84

Romantic cowboys of the silver screen such The cowboy hero has appealed to children As long as men and women are attracted to as Randolph Scott, Gary Cooper and John for years. During World War II, while many nature, to horses and cattle, and to a style of Wayne were characterized as handsome, fathers were away from home, cowboy actors life they see as simple, peaceful and free, strong, silent men of action. John Wayne in and stars served as role models for American there seems little danger that cowboys will Tall in the Saddle, courtesy of the Motion children. "Child Wearing Cowboy Outfit," c ever completely disappear from our lives. Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Soilnd 1935, courtesy of the Museum of New "Cowhand," courtesy of the Farm Security Division of the Library of Congress. Mexico in Santa Fe. Administration File, Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress. given time, we just can't seem to define As John Graves expresses it in figure crossing a hogback ridge into the what it is about the cowboy that has Cowboy Life on the Texas Plains, sunset, another cowboy, maybe not a allowed him to outlive all the folks 'That's the hitch in saying with cultural member of the vanished broth who made him famous. assurance good-bye American cowboy erhood but tough, able and legitimate Maybe it's something as unpreten good-bye. About the time you've put nonetheless, may very well ease up tious as the feeling of security we have your farewell speech together in your inquisitively beside you and say, 'What with the cowboy around. Like the way head and have started waving a ban the hell are you doin'?' " we felt about our favorite blanket or dana toward that long, lean, mounted pillow when we were kids. Even though people told us that we were acting like babies to keep dragging it Acknowledgments around, we couldn't let go, couldn't give it up, because we felt exposed and The American Cowboy exhibition was made possible by a gift to the Library of Congress vulnerable without it. from United Technologies Corporation, and its appearance at The Institute of Texan Cultures Or maybe it's because the cowboy is sponsored by donations from individuals and organizations throughout Texas. Their names is so flexible and tolerant. Like the old appear below. In addition, the Public Discussion and Western Film Series was made possible pet dog who patiently endures the silly by a grant from the Texas Committee for the Humanities. things we do to him - dressing him up Texas sponsors of The American Cowboy exhibition are: in fancy clothes and teaching him to Mr. and Mrs. Perry R. Bass, Fort Worth Mr. and Mrs. Holland McCombs, jump through a hoop - and keeps Maj. Gen. (ret.) and Mrs. John San Antonio coming back for more. M. Bennett, San Antonio Lt. Gen. (ret.) and Mrs. Sam Maddux Then again, maybe the answer is Mr. and Mrs. William Blakemore II, Jr., San Antonio Midland Mr. Watt R. Matthews, Albany so complex well never figure it out. Mrs. Helen Campbell, San Antonio Mr. and Mrs. William B. Osborn Jr., Maybe it's better that way. Hon. and Mrs. John B. Connally Jr., San Antonio Perhaps we should just accept the Floresville Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Shelton, cowboy for what he has become - an Mr. and Mrs. Kip McKinney Espy, Kerrville American institution. Perhaps we San Antonio Mr. and Mrs. James R. Sowell, Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Hause, Beeville Fort Worth should take comfort in the fact that the Mr. and Mrs. John Henderson, Hunt United Services Automobile Association, cowboy is one thing close to our hearts Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hewitt, Victoria San Antonio that we may never have to say good Mr. and Mrs. John G. Hurd, Valero Energy Corporation, San Antonio bye to because hell always be here in San Antonio W.T. Waggoner Estate, Vernon Mr. and Mrs. Belton Kleberg Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Welder, Victoria some form. Sure, he may not look or San Antonio Mr. and Mrs. Patrick H. Welder, act the way he did a hundred years ago, Mr. W.W. Jones II, Corpus Christi Victoria and sometimes it takes a little while to Mr. and Mrs. Kerry McCan, Victoria Mr. and Mrs. John H. White, recognize him, but he's still the same San Antonio lovable hero we've always known. HAPPENINGS 6

Traveling Exhibits

Traveling exhibits are designed by The Institute of Texan Cultures so that all Texans can Memorials enjoy learning about the state's ethnic heritage. The exhibits can be found at schools, businesses, libraries, shopping malls, museums and other public buildings throughout the state. The following The following tributes help support list will help you locate the Institute exhibit on display near you. a variety of programs and publications at The Institute of Texan Cultures and DECEMBER create a legacy of cultural pride that Through December 15: ANGLETON/ Brazoria County Museum, A Festival of Pinatas. commemorates these individuals. Through December 15: ARLINGTON/ Fielder Museum, Texas Women: A Celebration of History Tributes were made in memory of: (Preview Show). Through December 15: AUSTIN/ Eanes Elementary SchooL Texas Indians Who Lived in Houses. Robert Baskin by Mr. and Through December 15: AUSTIN/ Texas Commerce Bank, Treasure, People, Ships and Dreams. Mrs. Jack Maguire Through December 15: CORSICANA/ Navarro College, The Making of a Book. Mrs. A. Harold McNeese by James Through December 15: KINGSVILLE / John Conner Museum, Texas Images. Patrkk McGuire Through December 15: KINGSVILLE/ Kingsville Visitors Center, Texas Women: A Celebration Andy Martou by Mr. and of History. Mrs. Jack Ma~ Through December 16: TEXAS CITY/Gulf Coast Council on Foreign Affairs, Texas and the Jim Mayes by James PatFick McGuire American Revolution. Charlotte Patton by Bob Brinkerhoff Through December 30: SAN ANTONIO/Central Park Mall, Saints Preserve Us . Ed Reeves by Mr. and Through December 31 : BRYAN /Arts Council of Brazos Valley, A Festival of Pinatas. Mrs. Jack Maguire Through December 31: LAREDO/ Riverdrive Mall, To Stand Alone: A Gallery of Texas Originals. Dr. John Staub by Bob Brinkerhoff Through December 31 : MARSHALL/Harrison County Historical Museum, Saints Preserv e Us. Walter G. Sterling by Mr. and Through December 31: SAN ANTONIO/ Park Village Elementary School, Texas Indians Who Mrs. Frank B. Sterling Lived in Houses. Nancy Woodall by Mr. and Through December 31 : STEPHENVILLE/Tarleton State University Fine Arts Complex, Mexican Mrs. Jack Maguire Folk Toys. When you make a memorial Through January 15: GIDDINGS/ Lee County Historical Museum, To Stand Alone: A Gallery contribution to The University of Texas of Texas Originals. Institute of Texan Cultures at San December 2-January 8: PORT HURON, Mil Museum of Arts and History, A Festival of Pinatas. AnIonio, you are making a lasting gift December IS-January 15: GIDDINGS/ Lee County Historical Museum, Texas Images. to all Texans. Donations will be JANUARY acknowledged with an appropriate card and an announcement in Happenings. January 1-31 : ARLINGTON/ Fielder Museum, Texas Women: A Celebration of History (Entire For details on the Memorial Program, Series). please contact the Development Office. January 1-31 : GALVESTON/ Moody Medical Library, Texas Women: A Celebration of History. January IS-February 15: GAINESVILLE/ Morton Museum of Cooke County, To Stand Alone: A Gallery of Texas Originais. January IS-February 15: HOUSTON/ Bammel Elementary School, Texas Indians Who Lived in Houses. January 1S-February 15: HOUSTON/San Jacinto College, Galveston: An Island in His tory. January IS-February 15: LEVELLAND/ Levelland High School, Treasure, People, Ships and Dreams. FEBRUARY February 1-28: BROWNSVILLE /Amigoland, A Fes tival of Pinatas and Mexican Folk Toys. February 1-28: DALLAS/ Hillcrest High School, Afro-American Texans. February 1-28: GIDDINGS / Lee County Historical Museum, Afro-American Texans. February 1-28: SAN ANTONIO/ Randolph Air Force Base Library, Afro-American Texans. February 1-28: WEATHERFORD/ Merchants and Farmers State Bank, Treasure, People, Ships and Dreams. February IS-March 15: PEARLAND/Shadycrest Elementary SchooL Children From Many Lands Came to Texas . Steerdogging at a rodeo in Brookshire, Texas, February IS-March 15: PLANO/ Plano Public Library, Ch ildren From Many Lands Came to Texas. 1980. Photo contributed to The American February 1S-March 15: SPRING/ Hildebrandt Intermediate School, El Vaquero : Genesis del Cowboy exhibit by Wendy Watriss and Fred Cowboy Texano. Baldwin of Houston . February 1S-March 20: GROVES/Groves Middle SchooL To Stand Alone: A Gallery of Texas Originals. boy skills and pastimes such as trick roping, horsehair hitching and Western folk singing are scheduled throughout Cowboy: continued from page 1 As one of only four institutions the month of January (see the calendar chosen to h ouse The American of events, page 3, for further details). part of our history and our continuing Cowboy on its North American tour, Following its showing at The Insti fascination with it, we will better The Institute has planned a variety of tute, the exhibit will travel to the understand how our people see them special programs and events to high Denver Museum of Art in Colorado selves and the hopes they have for light the exhibition. A Western film (March 7 to April 29, 1984); Glenbow America;' remarked President Reagan series featuring such classics as The Museum in Calgary, Alberta, Canada during the exhibit's opening last spring Texan and Red River, public (June 5 to July 29, 1984); and San Jose in Washington, D.C., at the Library discussions with scholars and "real live" Museum of Art in California (Septem of Congress. cowboys, and demonstrations of cow- ber 3 to October 26, 1984). 7 WINTER 1983/ 84

Songs: continued from page 2 Last night as I lay on the prairie, For they, like the steers that are And gazed at the stars in the sky, locoed, In contrast, a few songs portray I wondered if ever a cowboy Stampede at the sight of a hand; this rough life as the only life. Would drift to that sweet They're dragged with a rope to the Apparently the cowboy himself was by-and-by. roundup prone to romanticizing his role a bit, Or get marked with some crooked as in these verses from 'Mustang Gray:' The road to that bright, happy man's brand. region There was a gallant ranger, Is a dim, narrow trail, so they say. And I'm scared that I'll be a stray They called him Mustang Gray. But the broad one that leads to yearling, When quite a youth he left his perdition A maverick, unbranded on high, home Is posted and blazed all the way. And get cut in the bunch with the A-ranging far away. rusties He would not sleep within a tent They say there will be a great When the Boss of the Riders goes No comforts would he know roundup, by. But like a brave old Texan When cowboys like dogies will For they tell of another big owner A-ranging he would go. stand, Who's ne'er overstocked, so they To be marked by the Riders of say, One can even find numerous Judgement examples of downright bragging by But who'll always make room for Who are posted and know every the sinner cowboys, as is heard in "The Old brand. Chisholm Trail:' Who drifts from the straight, narrow way. With my seat in the saddle and my I wonder if ever a cowboy, hand on the horn, Stood ready for that Judgement They say he will never forget you, I'm the best damned cowboy that Day, That he knows every action and ever was born. Could say to the Boss of the Riders: look, "I'm ready, come drive me away." So for safety you'd better get And then there are those songs branded; which express a preoccupation with the I know there are many stray Get your name in the great Tally afterlife, perhaps the strongest com cowboys book. ment of all on the cowboy's hard lot. Who'll be lost at the great final sale, 'The Cowboy's Heaven" Though somewhat melodramatic, such When they might have gone on to (no author listed); songs voice the ultimate plea for a green pastures from Cowboy's and the Songs They better life - to go to "that great roundup If they'd known of the dim, narrow Sang by S.J. Sackett. in the sky:' trail. New Associates Cowboy Collectibles We wish to wekome the following Blaze a trail to the Institute Store and round up some special holiday individuals to the growing family of Institute Associates: gifts from The American Cowboy collection. A few of the items available are listed below: Elva S. Brannon ' Melissa Briley *The American Cowboy Poster-Winner of a 1983 merit award from the Cornelia E. C~ook American Association of Museums, 22" x 30'~ $15 each. Ann J. Felton *The American Cowboy Catalog - A 228-page publication with more than Mr. and Mrs. Donald T. Hoelscher Mr. and Mrs. Dkk Johnson 300 color illustrations; winner of an honorable mention from the American Brig. Gen. H.O. Hub Johnson Jr. Association of Museums-$18.95 each. Mr. and Mrs. Albert T. Krueger *Postcards - Select from 20 images reproduced in full color - 20¢ each. Genoveva B. Leach *Greeting Cards-''A Round Up, 1877-1887;' a chromolithograph adver Plaza Forum, Interfirst Bank, Temple tising label, and "Pony Tracks;' a color lithograph by Edward Penfield, Mrs. Claude L. NabeFS c. 1895 - 50¢ each. Mr. and Mrs. Dale U. *Remington Greeting Cards-Six etchings from Theodore Roosevelt's series Von Rosenberg "Ranch Life and the Hunting-Trail;' which appeared in Century magazine Gwen Springs in 1888 - 50¢ each. 'Denotes membership in The Institute's *T-Shirt-A 100% cotton shirt with a four-color illustration of The newest group, the Young Associates. If American Cowboy poster on a white background-$9.50 each. you are an Institute member between the ages of 21 and 40, interested in *The Cowboy Cookbook by Verne Carlson-A 154-page illustrated special educational and social activities, cookbook featuring more than 100 authentic campfire recipes and infor please contact the Membership Office, mation about the art of cowboy cookery-$12.95 each. (512) 226-76511ext. 223. PAGE 1

The American cowboy; on the trail again.

PAGE 2 This cowboy traded in his horse for an old tractor to ride in a San Antonio parade, c 1925. Ph oto courtesy of the San Antonio Conservation Society.

Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE ~ PAID 1_ San Antonio, Texas The University of Texas Permit No. 364 Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio p.o. Box 1226 Singing his cattle call . . . San Antonio, Texas 78294

PAGE 4

Will the American cowboy live forever?